Bass Really on Top
Wow, some of these Blue Notes being sold by Atomic Records are setting new standards, including: Paul Chambers, Bass on Top, Blue Note 1569. This was an original pressing in M- condition for the record and VG+ for the cover. It sold for $2,024. We’ve seen that one break the $1,000 barrier, barely, once before in the Jazz Collector Price Guide, but never did it break into the $2,000 bin, until now.
Here are a few that didn’t sell at all, starting with Mal Waldron, Mal2, Prestige 7111. This was an original pressing listed in VG+/VG++ condition for both the record and the cover. There was spirited bidding for this one, and the top bid reached $500, but it was not high enough to reach the seller’s reserve price.
Marty Paich Quartet, Tampa 28. This was an original pressing with the red vinyl. The record was listed in VG+ condition and the cover looked to be VG or VG+. The seller had a starting price of $999 and there were no bidders. The seller said the record played at a VG++ level, but for $1,000 it seems buyers would expect more.
I have a feeling that this one may meet the same fate: Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section, Contemporary 3532. This is an original pressing that looks to be in VG++ or M- condition for the record and the cover. The start price is $750 and so far there are no bidders with three days to go. One interesting note: The seller talks about the “original white paper sleeve.” That’s not quite accurate. The Contemporary records in this era did not come with sleeves at all.
Top line on back cover is Blue – my understanding is that the original is Red – talked about this last month I think.
(referring to Pepper/Rhythm of course)
Earl,
This is a first pressing with the title in blue and the box around the song credits in red. The second pressing has title and the box around the song credits both in red.
Are you sure. I looked at my copy, which I would swear is original, and the top line is blue.
Aaron is right. Al’s inner sleeve story is interesting, I always assumed early Contemporary would have had rice paper inner sleeves but come to think of it, I can’t remember ever finding an early press that had one.
It was a real interesting learning experience buying the records from the Baltimore collection and seeing so many of them in their original packaging. The Riversides and Prestiges came with rice paper sleeves, the Contemporary and Pacific Jazz records had no sleeves at all. They all had loose plastic, pre-shrink wrap.
Would any of this blogs users/ contributors have an explanation of the inner sleevless Pacific Jazz and Comtemporary ? After all it is very surprising that such high level Jazz company (think about Roy Dunann sound and those beautiful covers) did not pay attention to take maximum care of the vinyl.
The original Pepper has a blue heading and red/pink line around the tunes.
early PJ was inner sleeve-less. CR too, but it was recommended by CR to use the baggy seal as inner. Later on both came with paper inners.
My dad’s original Pepper Stereo Records came without inner sleeve. He swears by it!
How is “bass on top”? An early session in terms of dates led by bass players. I might have to put this one on the want list.
Shaft — Stereo, yes. Those were later pressings that the original Contemporaries, right?
You are all correct on the Pepper/Rhythm top line – it should be blue(as is my copy) – sorry about the mix-up
Gregory – I personally love it. It’s one of my go to albums after a long day at work. But then again I’m a huge Paul Chambers fan.
Stevie – I’m interested because, aside of Mingus, my favorite albums led by bass players are mostly free affairs: Ronnie Boykins, Cecil McBee, etc.
So this seems interesting… more straight-ahead stuff led by a bassist. Your glowing recommendation is enough for me. I’ll have to track it down!
I’ve just published a blog post on ‘Bass On Top’ with some background that might be of interest at http://downwithit.info/2016/02/28/bass-on-top-paul-chambers/